Nature Portfolio

Responses to Text from the Book

When Grizzlies Walked Upright

This creation story is the most believable to me because it doesn’t involve corn being the origin of humans like in “The Navajo Origin Legend,” or bringing up the Earth to be placed on a turtle’s back like in “The Earth on Turtle’s Back.” I don’t believe the other stories are wrong, but for me “When Grizzlies Walked Upright” seems more thought out.  This idea of how man was made is still germane because it’s still a topic that’s being discussed today. It ties into the idea of evolution, which may not have been proven true as of right now, yet I feel as though the idea of evolution thrived from the idea of this story.  “[T]hey had many children, who were not as hairy as the grizzlies, yet did not look exactly like their spirit mother, either… Those strange creatures…were the first Indians, the ancestors of all the Indian tribes;” evolution explains how man came from a common ancestor and “When Grizzlies Walked Upright” says that ancestor are these creatures that were formed from a grizzly bear and the daughter of the Sky Spirit, which assuming had to closely resemble a human form.  

The idea of a grizzly bear and a human-like form mating sort of disturbs me but the whole concept of the story is amazing.  I liked how such a small object like a part of a stick became such a lively animal, such as a beaver, an otter, and a grizzly bear.  It shows that even an inanimate object can still have the potential to be filled with life.
Word count:263

The Corn Planting

This story was probably the one I was able to relate to the most because it dealt with more aspects of life in general and death being one of the things people go through in life.  When Will died the reaction that his parents had and going back to work was exactly the opposite of how I thought it would be, it was unwonted because they lacked emotion. But then when they went to plant corn and the author realized that “it was as though they were putting death down into the ground [hoping] that life might grow again,” I knew that their silence and them going back to work wasn’t them eschewing from their son’s death being real, but their way of coping.  

This reminded me of when my mom became really sick and the doctor told my father that she was going to die; his feelings weren’t overt, he didn’t cry or do anything of that sort, he got up and began to call relatives explaining the news. It wasn’t that he didn’t care about my mom, he hoped that by calling people and staying strong, doing exactly what she would’ve done if she was in the same situation, he would be able to show her that he couldn’t be himself without her. By him reacting that way he knew that she’d still be alive because the bond that they had together, in a sense “stated” that if one of them died so would the other because they were one. This can even be related to the author’s idea that “people who make a go of marriage… grow more and more alike.”

I liked that “The Corn Planting” was written in first person because it gave the story a personal feel, it was like I was reading the author’s diary.  The way that the author introduced the corn in the beginning and connected it in the end of the story was very smart because it allowed the reader to be more appreciative of the symbolic meaning of the corn.
Word count: 341

Grass

For being such a short poem it had a huge meaning.  It was very different from most poems I have read and I really liked it because Sandburg summarily got to the point he was trying to make.  No metaphors were used to have the reader think about the deeper/symbolic meaning of each line; only personification was used to show that grass is more than just grass.

I appreciate the sarcastic undertones the grass had when repeating the phrase “shovel them under and let me work,” because the poem was able to have a hint of humor  in it only to show that it’s really not funny how the grass, no matter what, cleans up man’s mistakes.  The poem did its job because it made me rethink how overlooked the grass on this Earth is.  Almost everywhere in the world there is grass and it has been through so much.  Grass doesn’t make mistakes, humans do, so why is it that the grass pays for it?  The grass doesn’t deserve all of the damage it has been put through because it covers up the mistakes we make, especially the reoccurring wars.

This poem really opened up my eyes; it’s a shame how it had to be written as if the grass was a person in order for people to understand that we put our problems on nature.  If you were the grass or air how would you like being so mistreated? We pollute the air, we allow the grass to cover up our mistakes, and we overlook what nature has given us and show no respect for it. 

“Grass” may be a short poem but it’s one of the best because it makes a reader rethink how they've treated nature.
Word count: 290

The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls

For me this poem has two meanings but they’re really similar. The first meaning is that the occurrences in nature was always happen no matter if man exists or not, the second is that life goes on even though a tragic event may have happened.  The use of repeating “and the tide rises, the tides falls,” instantly made me think of death. When “the tide rises,” it’s the beginning of a person’s life and when “the tide falls,” it’s the end of a person’s life.

The last three lines of the poem, “the day returns, but nevermore returns the traveler to the shore and the tides rises, the tide falls,” made the poem because they are simple words yet they had a big impact on me when I read the poem.  No matter what happens to humans, nature doesn’t stop; nature outweighs mankind.  By the tide still rising and falling it was nature’s way of saying so what to humans. Humans may have built skyscrapers, roads, and made a life for themselves on Earth but that life was achievable because of the resources nature had to offer.  Man needs nature, yet nature does not need man.

The idea that life goes on even after a tragic event is an underlining meaning to this poem.  People should view life as nature does; as such a small, fragile thing.  There are hard times in life, but you get through them. Life doesn't pause or stop because a tragedy occurred, it goes on.

I like that this poem doesn't have just one meaning, but different ones depending on how a reader perceives it.  
Word count: 270

Thanatopsis

“Thanatopsis” by far is my favorite poem that I have read for a class because it can really open up a person’s eyes and the metaphors that are used are brilliant.

I really liked how it gave two aspects on death but then connects them in the end.  Anyone who is afraid of dying needs to read this poem because it’s practically a lullaby. Bryant is able to support his reason for not being afraid of death with logical reasoning. The way death is described and how “life” after it is should be how life is when you are alive; no one judges you, social status doesn’t even exist.  “Thou shalt lie down with patriarchs of the infant world, -- with kings, the powerful of the earth,... all in one mighty sepulcher;”  When a person dies they share the same ground as kings, but that doesn’t matter because everyone is the same, everyone is dead. But why should a person have to die in order to “live” in a place where they won’t be judged?

The best part of this poem are the last three lines, it provides the comfort that a person may need when thinking of death; “Approach thy grave like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.” It makes death seem less intimidating. People tend to make a big deal of dying and how afraid they are to die but in reality what is there to be scared of.  “Thanatopsis” can really change a person’s aspect on death and that’s what a poem or any sort of text should do to a reader; it should provide insight on a topic so the reader isn't so narrow-minded anymore.
Word count:289


Nature Poem

The Animal at the Zoo

I’m trapped in a cage for your enjoyment

I’m only here for you to see

I’m different from the children who wear uniforms

Or this image society has created for people to follow

I don’t decide if I stay here or not            5

I can’t fight back to save my life

But you can

I’m trapped in a real cage

While you’re only trapped in a metaphorical one

I belong in the wild with my family         10

With the sunsets and the sunrise,

The grass under my paws,

The smell of musk in my nose,

Where I’m both a predator and a prey

Yet here I am in a place where I put up with carping complaints and pejorative remarks   15

Because I don’t roar on command or act like a dumb animal

I wish I could go back to that day when they can to my home

And took me away, I would’ve chosen to escape the maelstrom

Of which was caused by desire for money

I miss the unpolluted air,            20

The silence that occurred in the woods

Which was disturbed by the chirping of the wild birds

I moved with such celerity back then

I remember the wind beneath my hair,

The coldness of the rocks and the nearby trees where I would sleep     25

The longing I have to be at my home again is as insatiable

As the wanting you have to be accepted

Nothing will be enough

Don’t become like me

You don’t want to be trapped behind bars        30

In a place where the sun will never hit you

The Most Beautiful_______

The most beautiful place I have ever seen is Smoky Mountains, Tennessee (Pigeon Ford). My family and I traveled down there during the summer of 2010 for a vacation.

When arriving to our destination the sun was rising and the sky was a beautiful mix of a yellow orange color, along with an indigo blue and a light reddish color; we were greeted by many trees, it was amazing how many trees could fit in such a place.  We had to drive up this huge hill to get to where our cabin was located and during that drive we saw many different types of flowers, large rocks, and the musky smell of outside was being blown in our car through the air conditioning system.  Along the side of the road was this huge river that seemed to go on forever and Black-capped Chickadees were in the large trees flying down to find more food. Black bears dominated the forest along with white-tailed deer, coyotes, and bobcats.  It was amazing how diverse the animals were and how they seemed to mine their own business, not even caring about people in cars being around them.

The best part of the trip had to have been when we took a hike at about 7:00 pm. More animals were out and of course we were kind of scared because who knew what could happen, but the rush of adrenaline I had was amazing.  As we got further into the forest to a more open area there were all types of grasses and ferns ranging from coneflower to bloodroot. They were of green, orange, red, and yellow color; the colors of these plants defined autumn (it was summer, but if you saw the color of the grasses and ferns it would remind you of the colors that the leaves turn during autumn).  The air smelled raw and musty, I basically breathed in everything the woods had to offer, but it had a surprisingly hint of sweetness too.

It was at that moment when I had breathed in and stood on a very tall rock overlooking the river and small animals beneath me, I realized that not too many people get the opportunity to get away from the city life and experience a different side of nature.  I experienced nature at its finest and it was unbelievable how just by looking out I felt so stripped of my emotions, I felt very vulnerable.

Word Count:407

Weather Poem

Winter Blizzard

The neighbors belabored

Through the snow

Working at a pace

Emulating a snow plow

Though never able to exceed

The expectations

Intransigent they were

Refusing to bow down

To the piling mounds

One after another the family members

Undulated into the weather

Pounding against the snow

Remembering the halcyon days of summer

They retreat

 Avid snowmen hunger for warmth

  

Creation Story

How Teddy Bears Came to Be

Being very interested in animals and plants, a young boy with a taciturn personality, decided to explore the woods on a cool night. He didn't have any friends and his parents were busy, so he continued on his adventure alone.  He was so interested in the variety of smells that surrounded him and the large trees that towered over him, that he forgot to be aware of the dangerous animals which roamed about. As the boy continued walking he heard incoherent mumbling, intrigued by the thought that someone else was there with him he followed the sound.  He came near a flame but no one was there. While he bent down to warm up his hands near the fire a bear jumped in front of him. The young boy was frightened by the bear thinking it would attack him but really the bear was protecting him.

The bear yelled for the boy to stay back and hide, he listened and found a place to hide behind some bushes. As he peeked through the leaves and branches he saw the bear fighting against a pack of coyotes. The coyotes accosted the bear and told the bear to leave and let them get the boy; they had no trouble with the bear. But the bear wouldn't allow it, it told them to back off or they would never find any source of food again (that is why bears occasionally arrogate carcasses from coyotes now; to remind them that they can defeat coyotes and the coyotes should be afraid of them).

When the bear was sure that the coyotes left he called out to the young boy telling him it was safe to come out now. The boy slowly walked towards the bear; still afraid it might harm him, and asked why it protected him. The bear simply replied: “You’re a helpless cub and it’s my responsibility to protect cubs.”

It was getting late and the young boy’s parents were surely getting worried about where he was, so the bear told the boy to hop on its back so they could be on their way.  The bear returned the boy to his parents and reminded him that cubs aren't supposed to be alone at night. The bear and the boy both chuckled at the fact that he was a “cub.” After that the bear was on its way back home and the boy couldn't forget about how it saved him.

The next morning he asked his mother if she could make him a baby bear and a father bear toy and without asking any questions she did as he asked and made a cub and a papa bear. Not sure of what to call the toy bears he asked his father and his father said teddy bears because their president Teddy Roosevelt liked bears.  The young boy was pleased with the result and took both of the toy bears on his way to the woods.

He found the bear that saved him from the coyotes and gave the smaller bear which was the cub. The bear asked why he was receiving this toy cub and the young boy said: “So that I the cub will always be safe with you here in the woods.” The bear noticed that the boy was holding another bear that was larger and questioned why the boy had two.  The boy replied: “This one is for me so I can be safe at home, knowing you’re there to protect me.” 

Word Count:582

Reaction to Essays

“Walking” by Henry David Thoreau, “River Driftwood” by Sarah Orne Jewett, and “The Divine Soil” by John Burroughs all share one idea: in order to enjoy nature you have to really appreciate it for what it is.  Throughout the years the way they write about the idea gets better and better.

In “The Divine Soil” Burroughs says, “every place is under the stars, every place is the centre of the world, “meaning that no matter where a person is in the world they see the same thing nature has to offer as a person who may be thousands of miles away from them. I like the way Burroughs said that because I agree that everyplace in the world is special and is the same in the sense that it’s what you need in that moment like Emerson said in “Nature,” “nature always wears the colors of the spirit.” This relates to Thoreau’s idea in “Walking” that walking “itself [is] the enterprise and adventure of the day.”  When a person just goes out for a walk they’re able to clear their heads that way because they are soothed by their natural surroundings. When man was first alive there were no materialistic things, it was just man and the outside, which is way today both share the same connection when they’re together.

Everything is connected and Jewett shows that cycle in “River Driftwood;” “The grass is made somehow from the ground, and presently that is turned into beef, and that goes to make part of a human being.” What that goes to say is everything in the world depends on each other to exist.  All three essays were to show the importance of knowing  your “roots’ and being able to know that in a way they’re exactly the same as a plants, being that if the world and the things in it like water, air, grass, etc were not here then neither would you or any other living thing be too.

I share the same thinking of the world that all three writers do; the world is here for us and it’s our job to be aware of that and to respect it.  We overlook how much it does for us; without all of its natural products we wouldn’t be able to create anything that we have; it’s our number one provider.